Shared Economic Prosperity Initiatives

Create an Inclusive Development Environment

Create a dedicated fund for development review activities, which will allow for investments such as digital submittal and review and retention of employees during brief periods of reduced development activity.

Establish consistent and committed service levels between all development review departments.

Evaluate and propose innovative new development review products, such as face-to-face reviews, expedited reviews, and after-hours inspections

Evaluate full cost recovery model for development review program, where program application fees cover the cost of City review.

Evaluate and propose a grant program or other means of ensuring equitable access to development review program permits and approvals, especially for low and moderate-income homeowners and entrepreneurs.

Implement a system of digital submittal, review and approval

Conduct an annual evaluation of the development review program

Evaluate and propose an approach and governance program for consolidated records management between development review departments and conversion of historic paper records to digital format

Build a Talented, Competitive Workforce

Re-design and implement an employment program for justice-involved residents.

Grow the Durham Youth Internship Program from 200 to 1,000 placements.

Fulfill the workforce needs of the business community by connecting residents to career pathways and work-based learning programs.

Engage residents as well as internal and external partners to understand the barriers residents face to employment and career advancement.

Engage with the community as well as internal and external partners to understand the barriers residents face to employment and career advancement

Explore three apprenticeship tracks across three non-traditional industry sectors in partnership with Durham Public Schools and Durham Technical Community College.

Grow a Civic Infrastructure

Re-evaluate City's Economic Incentive Policy

Assess the barriers for small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses.

Create a financial inclusion strategy with community partners

Convene national and international foundations to leverage resources and establish relationships.

Convene financial institutions to leverage access to capital for small businesses.

Host a private sector round-tables to discuss the potential leveraging of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) resources.

Establish an initiative centered on collaboration with area educational institutions that will focus on talent and technical assistance.

Improve community capacity to provide economic opportunities for justice-involved individuals.

Identify and recommend an approach to strategic community partnerships.